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Tarpeia and Hersilia, two women featured in the early tales of Rome, had diametrically opposed stories and very different life outcomes.
In ancient Roman folklore, Tarpeia has become a symbol of avarice and betrayal, with her name used as a warning against putting personal ambition ahead of loyalty to Rome. In contrast, Hersilia emerges as a symbol of reconciliation and unification, mediating between Romans and Sabines to establish peace and togetherness amid strife.
These women represent two completely different paths for women in early Roman history: one representing a cautionary tale of betrayal, and the other standing as a model of concord and civic virtue.
The Sabine Women and the Founding of Rome
The heroic Romulus, founder of Rome, is portrayed in ancient sources as shaping the people into an elite citizen body, which unfortunately lacks women among their numbers. Thus early Rome experienced a population crisis.
Romulus approached the neighbouring Sabines to secure alliances between his men and the Sabine women. Romulus’ advances were rejected by the Sabine fathers, who sneered at any alliance with their chaste daughters and the proposal of turning them into Romans, implying the Romans were outcasts with loose morals.
